U.S. patent number 9,862,285 [Application Number 14/556,296] was granted by the patent office on 2018-01-09 for post-type apparatus for containing and charging unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft and method of containing and charging unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft using the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE. The grantee listed for this patent is KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Invention is credited to Gi-Hyuk Choi, Hyeon-Cheol Gong, In-Hee Hwang, Hae-Dong Kim, Sang-Cherl Lee, Byong-Suk Suk.
United States Patent |
9,862,285 |
Lee , et al. |
January 9, 2018 |
Post-type apparatus for containing and charging unmanned vertical
take-off and landing aircraft and method of containing and charging
unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft using the same
Abstract
An apparatus and method for containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft are disclosed. The apparatus for containing and
charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft includes a post, an extended
member, a cover, a fastening unit, and a charging unit. The post is
placed on a ground. The extended member is connected to the post.
The cover is provided on the extended member, and is configured to
be opened or closed in order to contain and protect the unmanned
VTOL aircraft. The fastening unit is provided in the cover, and is
configured to fasten the unmanned VTOL aircraft. The charging unit
is provided in the fastening unit, and is configured to charge the
unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Inventors: |
Lee; Sang-Cherl (Daejeon,
KR), Kim; Hae-Dong (Daejeon, KR), Gong;
Hyeon-Cheol (Daejeon, KR), Choi; Gi-Hyuk
(Daejeon, KR), Hwang; In-Hee (Daejeon, KR),
Suk; Byong-Suk (Daejeon, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE |
Daejeon |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH
INSTITUTE (Daejeon, KR)
|
Family
ID: |
52103216 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/556,296 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160347192 A1 |
Dec 1, 2016 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Jul 16, 2014 [KR] |
|
|
10-2014-0090063 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L
53/30 (20190201); B64D 45/08 (20130101); B64F
1/005 (20130101); B64F 1/222 (20130101); F21V
33/00 (20130101); B64C 39/024 (20130101); B64F
1/12 (20130101); B64F 1/00 (20130101); B64C
2201/066 (20130101); Y02T 90/12 (20130101); F21W
2131/103 (20130101); B64C 2201/042 (20130101); B64C
2201/024 (20130101); B64C 2201/182 (20130101); F21Y
2115/10 (20160801); Y02T 10/70 (20130101); Y02E
10/50 (20130101); Y02T 10/7072 (20130101); B60L
2200/10 (20130101); B64C 2201/108 (20130101); B64C
2201/027 (20130101); B64C 2201/201 (20130101); F21S
8/086 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60L
11/18 (20060101); B64C 39/02 (20060101); B64F
1/22 (20060101); B64F 1/12 (20060101); B64F
1/00 (20060101); F21V 33/00 (20060101); F21S
8/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;320/115
;191/1R,12.4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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102007003458 |
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Jul 2008 |
|
DE |
|
2103518 |
|
Sep 2009 |
|
EP |
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2218642 |
|
Apr 2014 |
|
EP |
|
2014-040186 |
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Mar 2014 |
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JP |
|
10-2013-0122715 |
|
Nov 2013 |
|
KR |
|
10-2013-0122715 |
|
Nov 2013 |
|
KR |
|
WO-98/02350 |
|
Jan 1998 |
|
WO |
|
WO-2013/055265 |
|
Apr 2013 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Dinh; Tien Q
Assistant Examiner: Rodriguez; Vicente
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rabin & Berdo, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned vertical
take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, comprising: a post placed on
a ground; an extended member connected to the post, the extended
member having a first portion connected to the post and a second
portion extending from the first portion in a downward direction
toward the ground; a cover opening towards the ground connected to
the second portion of the extended member, and configured to be
selectively opened and closed in order to contain and protect the
unmanned VTOL aircraft; a fastening unit provided inside the cover,
and configured to fasten the unmanned VTOL aircraft; and a charging
unit provided in the fastening unit, and configured to charge the
unmanned VTOL aircraft, wherein the charging unit includes a
reception hole which is open to face the ground, such that a pole
of the unmanned aircraft VTOL aircraft is inserted into the
reception hole while the unmanned VTOL aircraft moves in a
direction to increase height from the ground.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a pattern configured to
identify a post to which the unmanned VTOL aircraft belongs is
formed on an outside of the cover, and the pattern is one of a
light emitting diode (LED) pattern and an infrared (IR)
pattern.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a communication
unit configured to communicate with the unmanned VTOL aircraft; and
a status data monitoring unit provided in the charging unit, and
configured to simultaneously perform charging and data exchange on
the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a LED lamp configured to
normally function as a street light is mounted on a bottom of the
cover.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a LED/IR illuminant is
attached to the post in order to guide the unmanned VTOL
aircraft.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a
plurality of portions, and each of the plurality of portions are
rotated around a top of the cover and thus opened.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging unit further
comprises electrodes connected to the pole and configured to charge
the unmanned VTOL aircraft, and electrode driving springs
configured to push the electrode toward the pole.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the electrodes and the
electrode driving springs are disposed in each of a plurality of
lateral holes that communicate with the reception hole.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the pole comprises a
plurality of rings that are disposed at predetermined intervals in
a length direction of the pole; and a latch unit disposed in one of
the plurality of lateral holes is configured to stop a bottom of
any one of the plurality of rings, thereby preventing the pole from
being removed from the reception hole in a state in which the pole
has been inserted into the reception hole.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an external
fastening unit configured to fasten a side of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is opaque, and the
apparatus further comprises a camera and a LED lamp attached to an
outside of the cover.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is transparent.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a solar cell plate is
installed on a top of the post, and charges the unmanned VTOL
aircraft or powers a lamp for a street light.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein strip-shaped LED/IR
illuminants are disposed on an outside of the post at intervals so
that the unmanned VTOL aircraft determines a distance from the post
via radar or IR sensor of the unmanned VTOL aircraft, thereby
guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft through fastening to perform
charging day and night.
15. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the communication unit can
receive at least one of a GPS signal, a DGPS signal, and a beacon
signal for detecting location information of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft.
16. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein status information and a
video data from the unmanned VTOL aircraft are transmitted in real
time via the communication unit.
17. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an entrance of the reception
hole is formed in a cone shape, and thus the fastening of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft is facilitated by lift of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft and a slope of the cone shape during the fastening of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening unit is further
configured such that a target- and cross-shaped LED/IR light is lit
in order to guide the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is further
configured to be selectively opened and closed using any one of a
method in which two opposite cover portions are selectively opened
and closed and a method in which a plurality of cover portions is
selectively opened and closed.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging unit is further
configured to simultaneously perform charging and data
exchange.
21. A method of containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft
at a post placed on a ground, the method comprising: identifying an
unmanned VTOL aircraft at a long distance and receiving location
information of the unmanned VTOL aircraft by an apparatus for
containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft; guiding the
unmanned VTOL aircraft to a nearby location; guiding the unmanned
VTOL aircraft toward a cover through guidance of a LED/IR
illuminant attached to the post; opening the cover in order to
contain the unmanned VTOL aircraft; allowing the unmanned VTOL
aircraft to approach a location below the cover to perform charging
and fastening when the unmanned VTOL aircraft detects an IR/LED
light on a bottom of the cover via a camera attached to an end of a
pole of the unmanned VTOL aircraft; fastening the unmanned VTOL
aircraft to a fastening unit of the apparatus for containing and
charging the unmanned VTOL aircraft; and performing charging and
data exchange with the unmanned VTOL aircraft in a state in which
the unmanned VTOL aircraft has been fastened.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein guiding the unmanned VTOL
aircraft to a nearby location comprises guiding the unmanned VTOL
aircraft to the nearby location by transmitting location
information of a return point to the unmanned VTOL aircraft using
the LED/IR illuminant of the post.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein fastening the unmanned VTOL
aircraft further comprises fastening the side of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft using an external fastening unit.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising charging the
unmanned VTOL aircraft with power that is generated by a solar cell
plate installed on a top of the post.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein identifying the unmanned VTOL
aircraft comprises receiving at least one of a GPS signal, a DGPS
signal and a Beacon signal, and determining location information of
the unmanned VTOL aircraft using the signal.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein charging the unmanned VTOL
aircraft comprises transmitting status data of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft in real time.
27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the cover includes an inner
surface and an outer surface, and when the cover is closed, the
inner surface faces an inner space surrounded by the cover and the
outer surface faces an exterior; and the cover comprises a
plurality of portions, and each of the plurality of portions are
rotated around a top of the cover, opening the cover from a bottom
of the cover and exposing the inner surface of the cover to face
the ground.
28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reception hole is open at
a bottom of the charging unit that faces the ground, and the
reception hole extends in a vertical upward direction from the
bottom of the charging unit to a depth.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for
containing and charging an unmanned vertical take-off and landing
(VTOL) aircraft and, more particularly, to a post-type apparatus
for containing an unmanned VTOL aircraft, which is configured in
the form of a post and is provided with equipment capable of
charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft in a state in which the unmanned
VTOL aircraft has been contained in the apparatus, and a method of
containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft using the
same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the utilization of unmanned VTOL aircraft in dangerous
areas has increased, it is expected that the field of
commercialization of unmanned VTOL aircrafts will further expand in
the future. For example, it is expected that the utilization of
unmanned VTOL aircrafts will increase in order to perform crime
prevention, local patrol, traffic information collection.
Therefore, there will be an increasing need for equipment for
containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0122715 discloses
a conventional technology for containing an unmanned VTOL aircraft.
This technology is configured in the form of a container vehicle
that can move in order to charge an unmanned VTOL aircraft.
However, for an unmanned VTOL aircraft operating within a fixed
area, it is more efficient to fixedly install and operate an
apparatus for charging and containing an unmanned VTOL aircraft at
a specific location, than to use moveable vehicle-type containing
equipment. That is, since an unmanned VTOL aircraft that operates
to perform crime prevention, local patrol, traffic information
collection with equipment for containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft, which is located at a specific location and contains
and charges an unmanned VTOL aircraft, is required.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind
the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the
present invention is to provide an apparatus for containing and
charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft in the form of a post that is
fixed into the ground.
Additionally, there are other objects that are not explicitly
mentioned in the description of the present invention and can be
derived from the configuration of the present invention.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned
vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, comprising a post
placed on a ground; an extended member connected to the post; a
cover provided to the extended member, and configured to be
selectively opened and closed in order to contain and protect the
unmanned VTOL aircraft; a fastening unit provided inside the cover,
and configured to fasten the unmanned VTOL aircraft; and a charging
unit provided in the fastening unit, and configured to charge the
unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Furthermore, a light emitting diode (LED)/Infrared (IR) pattern
configured to identify a post to which the unmanned VTOL aircraft
belongs is formed on an outside of the cover.
Furthermore, the apparatus further comprises a communication unit
configured to communicate with the unmanned VTOL aircraft; and a
status data monitoring unit provided in the charging unit, and
configured to simultaneously perform charging and data exchange on
the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Furthermore, a LED lamp configured to normally function as a street
light is mounted on a bottom of the cover.
Furthermore, a LED/IR illuminant is attached to the post in order
to guide the unmanned VTOL aircraft through its return.
Furthermore, the cover comprises a plurality of portions, and each
of the plurality of portions are rotated around a top of the cover
and thus opened.
Furthermore, the charging unit comprises a reception hole
configured such that a pole of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is
inserted into the reception hole, an electrode connected to the
pole inserted into the reception hole, and configured to charge the
unmanned VTOL aircraft, and an electrode driving spring configured
to push the electrode toward the pole.
Furthermore, the electrode and the electrode driving spring are
disposed in each of a plurality of lateral holes that communicate
with the reception hole.
Furthermore, in the apparatus, the pole comprises a plurality of
rings that are disposed at predetermined intervals in a length
direction of the pole; and an latch unit disposed in one of the
plurality of lateral holes is configured to stop a bottom of any
one of the plurality of rings, thereby preventing the pole from
being removed from the reception hole in a state in which the pole
has been inserted into the reception hole.
Furthermore, the apparatus further comprises an external fastening
unit configured to fasten a side of the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Furthermore, in the apparatus, the cover is opaque, and is
configured to function as a surveillance camera and a light by
attaching a camera and a LED lamp to an outside of the cover.
Furthermore, the cover is transparent, and is configured to be used
as a surveillance camera by using a LED lamp and a camera that are
attached to the unmanned VTOL aircraft fastened inside the
cover.
Furthermore, a solar cell plate is installed on a top of the post,
and charges the unmanned VTOL aircraft or powers a lamp for a
street light.
Furthermore, strip-shaped LED/IR illuminants surrounding the post
are disposed on an outside of the post at intervals so that the
unmanned VTOL aircraft determines a height and a distance from the
ground to the post via a vision, radar or IR sensor of the unmanned
VTOL aircraft, thereby guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft through
fastening to perform charging day and night.
Furthermore, the communication unit can receive at least one of a
GPS signal, a DGPS signal, and a beacon signal for position
determination of the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Furthermore, status data and a video and sensor data from the
unmanned VTOL aircraft are transmitted in real time via the
communication unit.
Furthermore, an entrance of the reception hole is formed in a cone
shape, and thus the fastening of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is
facilitated by lift of the unmanned VTOL aircraft and a slope of
the cone shape during the fastening of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft.
Furthermore, the fastening unit is further configured such that a
target- and cross-shaped LED/IR light is lit in order to guide the
unmanned VTOL aircraft through automatic insertion via vision of
the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Furthermore, the cover is further configured to be selectively
opened and closed using any one of a method in which two opposite
cover portions are selectively opened and closed and a method in
which a plurality of cover portions is selectively opened and
closed.
Furthermore, the charging unit is further configured to
simultaneously perform charging and data exchange.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft, including a post placed on a ground; and at least
one lateral fastening hole formed in a side of the post, and
configured such that a pole of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is
inserted and fastened into the lateral fastening hole; wherein an
entrance of the lateral fastening hole is formed in a cone shape,
and thus the pole of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is easily inserted
into the lateral fastening hole during fastening of the unmanned
VTOL aircraft; and wherein the lateral fastening hole is further
configured such that target- and cross-shaped LED/IR lights are lit
in order to guide the unmanned VTOL aircraft through automatic
insertion via vision of the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Furthermore, the pole is fixed not to move within the lateral
fastening hole in a rolling direction so that the unmanned VTOL
aircraft does not roll in a state in which the pole has been
inserted into the lateral fastening hole.
Furthermore, the pole has an angled shape, and the lateral
fastening hole has a shape corresponding to the angled shape. In
accordance with still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft at a post placed on a ground, the method including
identifying, by an apparatus for containing and charging an
unmanned VTOL aircraft, an unmanned VTOL aircraft over a long
distance, and receiving, by the apparatus for containing and
charging the unmanned VTOL aircraft, location information of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft; guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft to a
nearby location; guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft toward a cover
through guidance of a LED/IR illuminant attached to the post;
opening the cover in order to contain the unmanned VTOL aircraft;
calculating a height or a distance from the post to the ground
using the LED/IR illuminant attached to the post, and allowing the
unmanned VTOL aircraft to approach a location immediately below the
cover to perform charging and fastening when the unmanned VTOL
aircraft detects an IR/LED light on the bottom of the cover via a
camera attached to an end of a pole of the unmanned VTOL aircraft
while performing X-Y axis turning flight in a safe area in which
the unmanned VTOL aircraft does not collide with the ground below
the cover; fastening the unmanned VTOL aircraft to a fastening unit
of the apparatus for containing and charging the unmanned VTOL
aircraft; and simultaneously performing charging and data exchange
in connection with the unmanned VTOL aircraft in a state in which
the unmanned VTOL aircraft has been fastened.
Furthermore, guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft to a nearby
location comprises guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft to the nearby
location by transmitting location information of a return point to
the unmanned VTOL aircraft using the LED/IR illuminant of the
post.
Furthermore, fastening the unmanned VTOL aircraft further comprises
fastening the side of the unmanned VTOL aircraft using an external
fastening unit.
Furthermore, the method further comprises charging the unmanned
VTOL aircraft with power that is generated by a solar cell plate
installed on a top of the post.
Furthermore, identifying the unmanned VTOL aircraft comprises
receiving at least one of a GPS signal, a DGPS signal and a Beacon
signal, and determining location information of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft using the signal.
Furthermore, charging the unmanned VTOL aircraft comprises
transmitting status data of the unmanned VTOL aircraft in real
time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be more clearly understood from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the overall configuration
of a post-type apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the open state of the post-type
apparatus for containing and charging the unmanned VTOL aircraft
according to the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the fastening of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft within the post-type apparatus for containing and charging
the unmanned VTOL aircraft according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the charging/data exchange
fastening of an unmanned VTOL aircraft that is achieved in a state
in which the pole of the unmanned VTOL aircraft has been fastened
into the post-type apparatus for containing and charging the
unmanned VTOL aircraft according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of target- and
cross-shaped LED/IR line lights that are used by the post-type
apparatus for containing and charging the unmanned VTOL aircraft
according to the embodiment in order to guide the unmanned VTOL
aircraft;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the external fastening unit of the
post-type apparatus for containing and charging the unmanned VTOL
aircraft according to the embodiment;
FIGS. 7 to 8 are diagrams illustrating a post-type apparatus for
containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating that the unmanned VTOL aircrafts
is inserted into and fastened into each of the lateral fastening
holes;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the pole 340 of an angled shape;
and
FIG. 11(A) and FIG. 11(B) are diagrams illustrating that the
unmanned VTOL is approaching the post-type apparatus for the
fastening.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the overall
configuration of a post-type apparatus for containing and charging
an unmanned VTOL aircraft in which a camera is attached to an
outside of a cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference
to the following drawings below so that a person having ordinary
knowledge in the art can easily practice the present invention. In
the following description of the present invention, if it is
determined that a detailed description of a related well-known
function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the
present invention, the detailed description is omitted.
Furthermore, some features presented in the drawings may have been
enlarged, reduced or simplified for ease of description. The
figures and their components are not necessarily drawn to scale.
However, details will be apparent to a person having ordinary
knowledge in the art.
A post-type apparatus 100 for containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention
is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
The apparatus 100 for containing and charging the unmanned VTOL
aircraft according to the present embodiment is equipment that is
capable of charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft with electricity
while accommodating and containing the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
The apparatus 100 for containing and charging the unmanned VTOL
aircraft (hereafter referred to as the "containing and charging
apparatus") according to the present embodiment includes a post 110
placed on the ground, and an extended member 120 connected to the
post 110. A cover 130 is provided under the extended member 120,
and is configured to be selectively opened and closed so as to
contain and protect the unmanned VTOL aircraft (hereafter referred
to as simply the "aircraft" or the "unmanned VTOL aircraft")
300.
A fastening unit 140 for fastening the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300
is provided within the cover 130. Furthermore, a charging unit 150
for charging the fastened unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 is provided to
the fastening unit 140, and thus may charge the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 in a fastened state. The unmanned VTOL aircraft 300
may be automatically fastened while being aware of the location of
the reception hole 151 of the charging unit 150 by itself.
Furthermore, a particular type of light-emitting diode/infrared
(LED/IR) pattern 137 is formed on the outside of the cover 130. The
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 may recognize the particular type of
pattern 137, and thus may return to the containing and charging
apparatus 100 to which it belongs. Furthermore, the cover 130
functions to protect the unmanned VTOL aircraft from an external
environment, and also functions as a street light and a monitoring
camera when the unmanned VTOL aircraft is not performing a
mission.
The height and location of the unmanned VTOL aircraft are
determined by the vision of the unmanned VTOL aircraft using the
LED/IR pattern provided onto the post 110, and then the unmanned
VTOL aircraft is guided toward a location below a cover 130.
Furthermore, the containing and charging apparatus 100 according to
the present embodiment may include a communication unit for
communicating with the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300, and thus
performs required communication with the unmanned VTOL aircraft
300. The charging unit 150 may include a status data monitoring
unit (not illustrated), and thus may monitor the status data of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 while charging the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 in a state in which the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 has
been contained in the containing and charging apparatus 100.
Furthermore, a LED lamp 135 may be mounted on the bottom of the
cover 130 of the containing and charging apparatus according to the
present embodiment. The lamp 135 is usually lit and then
illuminates an area below the lamp 135, and thus functions as a
street light and also generates a specific pattern that guides the
unmanned VTOL aircraft through hovering (perform stop flying) below
the cover 130.
Furthermore, it is necessary to transmit the location information
of the return point to the unmanned VTOL aircraft when the unmanned
VTOL aircraft returns. For this purpose, a LED/IR illuminant 115 is
attached to the post 110. That is, the LED/IR illuminant 115
transmits the location information of the return point to the
unmanned VTOL aircraft, and thus guides the unmanned VTOL aircraft
through its return.
A guidance-related configuration for guiding the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 toward the containing and charging apparatus 100
determines the location of the unmanned VTOL aircraft while the
unmanned VTOL aircraft is moving, and transmits the location
information of the return point to the unmanned VTOL aircraft,
thereby guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft through its return. This
process is performed chiefly via the LED/IR illuminant 115 attached
to the post 110, a beacon signal, a Differential Global Positioning
System (DGPS) receiver, or the like. The post-type containing and
charging apparatus 100 for the unmanned VTOL aircraft uses a sensor
in order to perform accurate fastening through an entirely
automated process.
The cover 130 may has various shapes, such as a spherical shape, a
pyramid shape, and a cubic shape. The cover 130 is illustrated in a
spherical shape capable of reducing air drag in the drawings by way
of example. If the unmanned VTOL aircraft approaches the containing
and charging apparatus 100 in order to return (refer to FIG. 11),
the containing and charging apparatus 100 should be opened. The
cover 130 includes a plurality of portions. Each of the plurality
of portions rotates and is opened around the top of the cover. The
cover 130 may be divided into a plurality of portions. The cover
130 is illustrated as being divided into two portions in the
drawings by way of example.
The unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 according to the present embodiment
is an aircraft that patrols a specific area or performs activities
for the purpose of crime prevention, traffic information collection
or the like in an invisible place. The unmanned VTOL aircraft 300
includes a built-in camera, or includes a camera 310 on the bottom
of the cover in order to photograph a surveillance area for the
purpose of a patrol or a surveillance activity. Furthermore, the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 further includes a LED lamp 320, thereby
irradiating a specific area when needed.
That is, the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 according to the present
embodiment includes the LED lamp 320 and the camera 310, so that
the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 can light the lamp 320 to irradiate
a front area when needed and can photograph a specific target area
using the camera 310 and then transmit a photographed image to a
control center, etc.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper fastening portion 330 of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 includes a pole 340 that is inserted
into the fastening unit 140 of the containing and charging
apparatus and also enables charging. The pole 340 includes a
plurality of rings 341 disposed at predetermined intervals in the
lengthwise direction of the pole 340. Furthermore, metal strips for
charging are installed on the pole 340. Furthermore, a vision
sensor and a camera may be mounted at the top of the pole 340.
The charging unit 150 includes a reception hole 151 into which the
pole 340 of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is inserted and mounted. The
reception hole 151 is a vertical hole. Electrodes 152 are disposed
in the reception hole 151, and come into contact with the pole 340
inserted into the reception hole 151, thereby enabling electric
charging. An appropriate number of electrodes 152 are disposed and
form a plurality of vertical layers, thereby enabling charging or
data exchange in connection with the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Furthermore, an electrode driving spring 153 is provided behind
each of the electrodes 152. The electrode driving spring 153
applies force so that the electrode 152 is brought into contact
with the pole 340 by pushing the electrode 152 toward the pole 340
in a state in which the pole 340 has been inserted. In this case,
the electrode 152 and the electrode driving spring 153 may be
disposed in each of a plurality of lateral holes 155 that
communicate with the reception hole 151 in a lateral direction.
Meanwhile, the electrode 152 is connected with one end of the
electrode driving spring 153. Furthermore, the electrode driving
spring 153 is disposed in the lateral holes 155 while applying
elasticity force enough to bring the electrode 152 into contact
with pole 340. When the pole 340 is removed from the reception hole
151, the pole 340 may be smoothly removed thanks to the rounded
shape of the ends of the electrodes 152 while pushing the rings 341
of the pole 340 toward the electrode driving spring 153. It will be
apparent that the present invention is not limited thereto and may
employ various types of means for the contact or release of the
electrodes 152.
In order to ensure the fastening of the unmanned VTOL aircraft in a
state in which the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 has been contained in
the containing and charging apparatus 100, the containing and
charging apparatus 100 further includes an external fastening unit
160 that fastens the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 on the side of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300. By way of example, the external
fastening unit 160 has a structure in which a ring 165 is divided
into two parts and can be opened. The fastening of the unmanned
VTOL aircraft 300 is further ensured in such a way that the ring
165 of the external fastening unit 160 fastens the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 in the manner of being wrapped around the side of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 in a state in which the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 has been fastened by the fastening unit 140.
Furthermore, the cover 130 according to the present embodiment may
be made of opaque or transparent material.
If the cover 130 is made of opaque material, the cover 130 may be
allowed to additionally function as a surveillance camera by
attaching a camera 138 (FIG. 12) to the outside of the cover 130.
That is, the containing and charging apparatus 100 according to the
present embodiment may normally function as both a street light and
a surveillance camera.
In contrast, if the cover 130 is made of transparent material, the
cover 130 may be used as a surveillance camera using the LED lamp
320 and the camera 310 that are attached to the aircraft 300
fastened inside the cover 130. In other words, since photographing
may be performed using the camera 310 provided in the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 in a state in which the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 has
been fastened inside the cover 130, the containing and charging
apparatus 100 may be allowed to function as the surveillance camera
by using the feature.
A solar cell plate (not illustrated) may be installed on the top of
the post 110. Electricity may be collected in the daytime using the
solar cell plate, and then the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 may be
charged with the collected electrical energy or the collected
electrical energy may be provided to the LED lamp 135.
Furthermore, the LED/IR illuminant 115 may be attached to the
outside of the post 110, and may make the post 110 unique, thereby
enabling the aircraft to identify the post 110 even during the
night. A communication unit (not illustrated) provided in the
containing and charging apparatus (for example, the post 110 or the
fastening unit 140) is a means for position determination of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300. The communication unit includes at
least one of a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a
different GPS (DGPS) receiver, and a beacon signal. Status
information and photographed image from the unmanned VTOL aircraft
are transmitted in real time via the communication unit.
The fastening unit 140 is based on mechanical socket fastening. The
fastening is performed by the fastening unit 140, and charging is
performed simultaneously with the fastening. The fastening unit 140
includes a vision sensor, sonar and the like to perform fastening.
The fastening unit 140 of the containing and charging apparatus
according to the present embodiment may be configured to be
rotatable. Furthermore, since the entrance of the reception hole
151 is formed in a cone shape, the fastening of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft may be facilitated by the lift of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 and the slope of the cone-shaped entrance during the
fastening. In greater detail, during the fastening of the unmanned
VTOL aircraft, the upper pole 340 is inserted into the reception
hole 151 while the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 is generating lift
and thus is vertically rising. In this case, the entrance of the
reception hole 151 forms a conical slope, and thus fastening is
achieved during the rise of the aircraft 300 attributable to lift
even when the pole 340 is not accurately located at the center of
the reception hole 151 and there is some offset.
A latch unit 154 disposed in any one of the plurality of lateral
holes 155 stops the bottom of the ring 341 by the latch unit
operating spring 156 when needed in a state in which the pole 340
has been inserted into the reception hole 151, thereby preventing
the pole 340 from being removed from the reception hole 151.
Meanwhile, although the latch unit operating spring 156 has elastic
force similar to the elastic force of the above-described electrode
driving spring 153, the latch unit 154 moves in a direction away
from the pole 340 according to the Faraday principle and thus the
stopping is released when a current has been applied in a state in
which the pole 340 has been inserted, so that the unmanned VTOL
aircraft can be removed from the reception hole 151. It will be
apparent that the present invention is not limited thereto and
various types of means may be used to achieve the application or
release of the latch unit 154.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the fastening unit 140, a
target-shaped IR LED is lit in order to guide the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 through automatic insertion via the vision of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300.
The cover 130 has a spherical shape, a cubic shape, or a pyramid
shape. The cover 130 assumes a method in which two opposed left and
right covers are opened or closed, or assumes a method in which a
cover that can be divided into a plurality of parts is opened or
closed. The charging unit 150 may perform charging and status data
exchange.
A containing and charging apparatus according to another embodiment
of the present invention is described below with reference to FIGS.
7 to 10.
The containing and charging apparatus according to the present
embodiment is configured to accommodate one or more unmanned VTOL
aircrafts on the side of the post 200, fasten the unmanned VTOL
aircrafts to the side of the post 200, and simultaneously charge
the unmanned VTOL aircrafts with electricity.
That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, in the containing and charging
apparatus according to present embodiment, one or more lateral
fastening holes 210 are formed in the side of the post 200 placed
on the ground.
The pole 340 of each of the unmanned VTOL aircrafts 300 is inserted
into and fastened into each of the lateral fastening holes 210. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, the pole 340 of the unmanned VTOL aircraft
300 is formed to protrude from the front of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300. A vision sensor and a camera may be mounted at front
end 3401 of the pole 340. The pole 340 of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft operates using a charging/fastening method identical to
that of FIG. 4. Furthermore, an LED/IR strip (not illustrated) may
be mounted on the pole 340, and thus the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300
may determine a height from the ground and a distance from the pole
340 by itself.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, since the entrance of the lateral
fastening hole 210 is formed in a cone shape, the pole 340 of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 can be easily inserted into the lateral
fastening hole 210 during the fastening of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300.
Meanwhile, the pole 340 is fixed not to move in the lateral
fastening hole 210 in a rolling direction (see the direction R of
FIG. 9B) so that the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 does not roll in a
state in which the pole 340 has been inserted into the lateral
fastening hole 210. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the pole 340 may
have an angled shape by way of example, and the lateral fastening
hole 210 may have a corresponding shape.
Accordingly, the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 may be charged in a
state in which the rotor of the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 is
directed toward a sky direction (an upward direction in FIG. 9),
that is, in a state in which the direction of the lift of the rotor
corresponds to a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. If
the pole 340 of the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 is not fixed in a
state in which the pole 340 has been inserted into the lateral
fastening hole 210, the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 may roll, and
thus the direction of the rotor may be inverted. In this case, when
the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 is separated from the lateral
fastening hole 210 and then performs flight again after the
completion of the charging, the direction of gravity is identical
to the direction of the lift of the rotor, and thus a problem may
occur in that the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 cannot perform
flight.
Meanwhile, target- and cross-shaped LED/IR lights are lit within
the lateral fastening hole 210 in order to guide the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 through automatic insertion via the sensor of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft 300. However, since this configuration is
similar to the above-described configuration, a detailed
description thereof is omitted for the sake of convenience.
A method of containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft
according to another embodiment of the present invention is
described below.
The method according to the present embodiment includes a first
step of identifying, by an apparatus for containing and charging an
unmanned VTOL aircraft, an unmanned VTOL aircraft over a long
distance, and receiving, by the apparatus for containing and
charging the unmanned VTOL aircraft, the location information of
the unmanned VTOL aircraft; a second step of transmitting the
location information of the apparatus for containing and charging
the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300 to the unmanned VTOL aircraft, and
guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft to a nearby location; a third
step of guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft toward a cover through
the guidance of a LED/IR illuminant attached to the post; a fourth
step of opening the cover in order to contain the unmanned VTOL
aircraft; a fifth step of fastening the unmanned VTOL aircraft to a
fastening unit of the apparatus for containing and charging the
unmanned VTOL aircraft; and a sixth step of simultaneously
performing charging and status data monitoring in connection with
the unmanned VTOL aircraft in a state in which the unmanned VTOL
aircraft has been fastened.
At the second step, the LED/IR illuminant 115 attached to the post
110 transmits the location information of a return point to the
unmanned VTOL aircraft, thereby guiding the unmanned VTOL aircraft
to a nearby location. The side of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is
fastened using the external fastening unit 160. The unmanned VTOL
aircraft is charged with power that is generated by the solar cell
plate installed on the top of the post 110. Furthermore, the
location information of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is received
using at least one of a GPS signal, a DGPS signal and a beacon
signal via the communication unit, and thus the location of the
unmanned VTOL aircraft is determined.
Thereafter, at the fifth step, the status data and observational
data of the unmanned VTOL aircraft are transmitted via the
communication unit in real time.
A process of landing the unmanned VTOL aircraft is described
briefly below.
1) When the unmanned VTOL aircraft is located at a long distance,
the unmanned VTOL aircraft is guided by a GPS signal, a DGPS signal
or a beacon signal. When the unmanned VTOL aircraft approaches a
nearby location, the pole is identified via the LED/IR illuminant
attached to the post.
2) When complete approach has been accomplished, the unmanned VTOL
aircraft requests the opening of the cover, and thus the cover is
opened.
3) The unmanned VTOL aircraft calculates the height or distance
from the post to the ground using a LED/IR strip (illuminant)
attached to the post, and performs X-Y axis turning flight in a
safe area in which the unmanned VTOL aircraft does not collide with
the ground below the cover. When the unmanned VTOL aircraft detects
a LED/IR light on the lower portion of the cover via the camera
attached to the front end of the pole of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft, the unmanned VTOL aircraft approaches a location
immediately below the cover to perform charging and fastening.
4) Position information, location information or the like are
collected via the vision sensor or IR sensor. The distance from the
fastening unit is measured using sound via the sonar.
Meanwhile, when the cover is opened, the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300
is dispatched in order to perform its mission and then the cover is
closed again, the apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft functions as a street light and/or a surveillance
camera. When the unmanned VTOL aircraft that has performed its
mission returns, the cover is opened and the unmanned VTOL aircraft
300 is guided through containing. The charging of the unmanned VTOL
aircraft 300 at the same time that the unmanned VTOL aircraft 300
fully fastened via various types of sensors installed on the
apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft,
and then the cover is closed again.
The present invention relates to a post-type apparatus for
containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft that performs
missions, such as regular monitoring, local patrol, traffic
information collection with expectations for an increase in the
utilization of unmanned VTOL aircrafts and the active
commercialization of unmanned VTOL aircrafts in the future. The
object of the present invention is to provide a post-type apparatus
for containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft, which is
capable of separating an unmanned VTOL aircraft in order to allow
the unmanned VTOL aircraft to perform its mission after opening the
cover containing the unmanned VTOL aircraft, fastening the unmanned
VTOL aircraft to the post and then performing charging and status
monitoring in connection with the unmanned VTOL aircraft when the
unmanned VTOL aircraft has returned, and normally functioning as a
street light and/or a monitoring camera, thereby reducing manpower
and automatically performing the above-described task. Furthermore,
the present invention also provides a post-type apparatus for
containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft, which is capable
of fastening one or more unmanned VTOL aircrafts to a post and
charging the unmanned VTOL aircrafts using the fastening portions
provided on the fronts of the unmanned VTOL aircrafts. In order to
achieve these objects, the post-type apparatus for containing and
charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft according to the present
invention includes various sensors for fastening, a power supply
functioning to charging the unmanned VTOL aircraft and functioning
as a street light, and a LED/IR illuminant for enabling the
unmanned VTOL aircraft to identify the apparatus for containing and
charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft, to which the unmanned VTOL
aircraft belongs.
The post-type apparatuses for containing and charging an unmanned
VTOL aircraft according to embodiments of the present invention are
advantageous in that the task of containing an unmanned VTOL
aircraft can be efficiently performed, the waste of manpower can be
reduced by enabling an unmanned VTOL aircraft to be efficiently
used, and the post-type apparatuses for containing and charging an
unmanned VTOL aircraft can normally function as street lights
and/or surveillance cameras.
Furthermore, the advantages of the present invention are not
limited to the above-described advantages, and include advantages
that can be derived from the detailed description of the present
invention.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed in detail, the scope of the present invention is not
limited thereto. Various medications and variations that are made
by those skilled in the art based on the basic concept of the
present invention defined in the attached claims also fall within
the scope of the present invention.
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